Existing Users: Because of an update to the forum software you will need to reset your password. Please use the "Forgot?" link on the sign in form to do so. If that doesn't work, send me an email at feedback@forzaminardi.com and I'll sort you out!
Now am I the only one who thinks that this years crop of drivers SERIOUSLY lacks some characters? Not that I genuinely miss the likes of Irvine and Villeneuve as while they were "in office" I was highly irritated by their antics BUT their absense makes me realise how bland the current offering is. I mean even a Hakkinen or Schumacher would do. What do we have this year? The shy smirking of Lewis Hamilton, the receding hairline of Bob Kubica and the monotone nothingness of Kimi. I've been following the sport for 15 odd years (nothing in comparison to some of the seniors in here) and I hardly ever gave a flying toss about who was in front. It's the things surrounding F1 that made it worthwhile. I find those elements lacking, big time.
Comments
I was just speculating what an ideal field would look like. But it's kind of difficult to regulate this kind of thing. You can't just say that each team should contain a driver with personality ;). But Villeneuve, Montoya or Irvine always added something extra.
Alonso goes a little in the same direction. He pointed his finger to Massa last season, made a huge mess in the spy scandal and in its relation with LH and Mclaren, etc. etc. To me he mostly acted like an idiot, but at least he DID something. The rest is the rest, but it is always like that. You never have 22 characters on the field. In fact, 2 or 3 can do the job.
[Edited on 25-3-08 by Stan]
Down to Berger and Alesi.
They were ALL characters, but that was also because in general it was more a sport for "danger knights" than a business.
I have to say the blame for this "business" approach by drivers has to go in part to Alain and Ayrton, who were characters but who produced a Michael Schumacher.
But in general, the reason why now the approach is different (also "physically", if you think about it, now drivers are all athletes, while Piquet or Reutemann were not, and Jones, Tambay and Pironi were almost fat....)is that, with all this money, sponsors and big constructors involved, F1 is a business. Bernie even calls it so!
This said, I have to say that Alonso is enough of a character, and the rivalry between him, Kimi and Hamilton can create a thrilling atmosphere in the future. And I also wait for Rosberg to get to the top, I think he'll be a character as well.
Just stick in DC and his 3 colours of shit and who knows what will happen.
I'm sure the FIA are the real culprits, you know, "bringing the sport into disrepute" bla bla bla...